Seminar assists students in preventing stress problems
by Ines Salomon, reporter

    Stress, in the simplest terms, is one’s physical and emotional reaction to change, a South Campus counselor told an audience last week.

    In her seminar, Sandra Johnson discussed the different aspects of stress.

    “Our body reacts to change, whether it is positive or negative change,” she said.

    Johnson pointed out that there are five common shapes and forms of stress. Emotional stress deals with loss of loved ones or unhappiness on the job or in a marriage. Physical stress results from the lack of sleep or overexposure to sun or cold.

    The third type, social stress, deals with unloving mates or the occurrence of too many changes, and chemical stress is brought on by the use of alcohol or exposure to pesticides. Environmental stress, the fifth form, deals with a noisy atmosphere or temperature.

    Johnson explained the main objective of the seminar, which was for each individual to learn how stress affects people and how they can understand stress to make it work for their benefit.

    “Stressor refers to the situation or circumstances that cause stress,” she said.

    Many factors in daily life can be stressors, for example jobs, family, friends and school. But these factors don’t have to be stressors, Johnson pointed out.

    “Each of us needs to learn how to enjoy the stresses and challenges that we face, not only in our work but also in our personal or family life, by changing our attitude and the way we see our daily challenges,” she said.

    Johnson stressed the importance of using different relaxation or special breathing techniques as well as engaging in some form of enjoyable physical exertion. Activities such as aerobic exercise, swimming or other various activities can use or vent the inner energy built up during periods of stress.

    Johnson told the group about the consequences of stress. Some stress consequences, such as increased motivation and enhanced drive, may be positive.

    However, many consequences are counterproductive, disruptive and potentially dangerous. For example, loss of concentration, changes in appetite, fatigue, dizziness can result from stress and create other emotional or physical problems.

    “Stress is a natural reaction,” she said, “but it’s how we handle our lives that makes the difference.”

    In explaining how stress works, Johnson explained the HALT system. Halt stands for hunger, such as waiting too long to eat or not eating; anger-suppressed feelings; loneliness with feelings of condemnation or guilt and tired-overworked, perfectionist.

    She said that one should be careful of everything that enters his or her body, whether a physical or an emotional or mental aspect.

    “You have only one body, so take good care of it,” she said.

    The stress seminar was sponsored by the Women In New Roles program.

    For more information on the WIN-R program or concerning upcoming seminars, contact Treisha Light, WIN-R coordinator at 817-515-4740 or by email triesha.light@tccd.net.